Deep well water supply system



July 14, 1931. A. PENN I DEEP WELL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed Feb. 15, 1930 Ani M? w r. 5 a e m; in w m m 0i z r 7 4 e Patented July 14,1931

- ALBERT PENN, or DES Mourns,

UNITED s'rATes PATENT- 0FFIE IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO PENN ELECTRIC SWITCH (10., O1 DESMOINES, IOWA DEEP WELL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM Application filed February 13, 1936. Serial No. 428,101.

The object of my invention is'to provide a water supply system wherein a pump supplies air and water to a storage tank and wherein the fresh water take-off when opened immediately starts operation of the pump, and the air drawn in by the pump will be by-passed into the storage tank, so

that the fresh water supply will 'not be mingled with air.

It may be here mentioned that in the ordinary well water supply System, a store age tank is provided from which storage water may be withdrawn by air under pressure within the tank, and at the same time a fresh water take-off is provided, and the air within the system will mingle with the fresh water supply causing the fresh water supply to come in charges and intermittently a charge of "air only comes forth from the fresh water take-off, and it is my object to provide a system wherein the fresh water take-off will not be interfered with by the air under pressure and only fresh water from the well will be discharged through the fresh water take-off instead of air with falls below a predetermined amount, andalso operable instantaneously upon opening the fresh water take-01f irrespective of the 1 amount of pressure within the storage tank.

More specifically, it is my object to pro-- vide a Switch structure for starting and stopping the 'motor operable from the storage tank and also operable upon opening of the fresh water take-off, the connection between the storage tank and the switch Structure being restricted.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my deep well water supply system,

whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a plan view of my well water supply system.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the excess air discharge device forming a part of the storage tank.

water supply system layout; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the diaphragm structure of the switch mechanlsm.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the "reference character A toindicate a water storage tank and B the pumping unit.

The pumping unit includes a motor 10 and adriving mechanism 12. The driving mechanism 12 is connected to the well or plunger rod 14. The plunger rod extends down into a drop pipe 16. The well head 18 has a take-off pipe 20 extending therefrom in communication with the water storage tank. The supply line from the well head 18 to the water storage tank A will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

During operation of the pumping unit, operation of an air attachment 22 is efiected.

The line 20 between the well head 18 and the storage tank A includes a T-fitting 24, .a check valve 26, and an air chamber 28.

The air chamber 28 is connected tothe line 20 by a'fitting 30. A pipe 32 connects the fitting 30 to the storage tank A, and within the pipe 32 is a T-fitting 34. s

The T-fitting 24 has a fresh water supply line 36 connectedthereto with a take-01f fauoct 38. Within the fresh water supply line 36 is a check valve40.

The pipe line 32 is slightly inclined upwardly so that the water storage tank is positioned in a plane above the fitting 34 i The takeofi' from the fitting 34 is referred to by thereference numeral 42 and extends to a switch structure 0, The take-01f 42 exor at least above the take-ofi from the fitting 60 Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the I tends downwardly from the T-fitting -34, and

thence upwardly to the switch structure C.

A short pipe 44 is secured to a neck 46 formed on the diaphragm chamber casing 48.

.The switch structure includes a diaphragm 50 which when moved in an upward direction causes the switch to open the circuit, and which when moved in a downward direction causes the switch to close the circuit for starting operation of the motor 10.

1 The switch structure C is in electrical connection with the motor 10 and makes and breaks the electric circuit tothe motor 10. The diagram of this connection is clearly' illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

, While I have usedthe term upward and downward in connection with the diaphragm 50, it will be understood that the terms are used only in connection with the position of the device as disclosed in the drawings, there being no intention to" limit myself to the particular direction of move- .7 ment of the diaphragm.

Within the neck 46 of the diaphragm casing, I mount a plug 52, which is provided with a restricted passageway 54.

The freshwater supply line 36 is connected to the switch structure by a passageway 56. The passageway 56 is in communication with the diaphragm chamber on the same side of the diaphragm as is the pipe 44.

The passageway 56, however, is not restricted and is of considerably reater diameter than the passageway 54 in t e plug 52.

It will be noted therefore that the two passageways leading into the diaphragm chamber are of different'sizes, the one from the fresh water supply line being of greater size than the one from the storage water system side.

Air from the attachment 22 is by-passe into the fitting 30 around the check valve 26 by means of a pipe 73.

The storage water from the tank A may be withdrawn through a supply line 74 and controlled by ordinary faucets or the like.

The storage tank A includes a gauge 58 and a fitting 60, which is screwed into the tank A. When the water level within the tank drops, so that it no longer is indicated on the gauge 50, then a float 62 will likewise drop and open the air discharge passageway 64 permitting air from within the tank A to bleed to atmosphere.

' Switch structure The switch' structure C includes a lever 66, which is operated by the diaphra cuit and thus starting the motor 10.

N 50 "\in one direction and by a spring 68 1n the i 60 opposite direction.

Practical operation The practical operation of my water supply system isas' follows:

The pumping unit when operating forces water and air into the water storage tank A.

When the air pressure within the tank falls below a predetermined amount, that is an amount necessary for operation of the water supply system, the switch structure C is affected, and it operates to close the circuit for starting the motor 10.

Thus more water and more-air will be forced into the storage tank A and the switch structure C will then stop the motor at some higher predetermined pressure.

In order to withdraw fresh water for drinking'purposes, I provide the fresh water take-oil valve orfaucet 38. As soon as the fresh water take-ofl is opened, it immediately withdraws all of the water within the lower side of the diaphragm chamber and instantly the diaphragm moves. to its down position and the circuit is closed for starting the motor.

The motor operates the pump and the Water will follow the line of least resistance and fromthe pipe adjacent the well head will pass into the supply line 36 and be discharged through the faucet 38.

The air whlch is likewise being pumped during fresh water withdrawal will pass to the pipe 73 and into the fitting directly below the air chamber or cushion 28, so that any air pumped during the time fresh water is withdrawn will go lnto the storage tank.

It will thus be seen that the fresh water supply is not affected by the air which is pumped at thesame time that water is being forced into the fresh water sup 1y. passing into the fitting 30 w ill naturally pass into the air chamber 28 and' on into the .tank A along the upper side of the pipe 32.

The lower portion of the pipe will be filled with water, and for that reason water will fill the pipes 42 and 44 and pass into the diaphragm chamber through the restricted passageway 54. I

So long as the fresh water supply line is open, the small amount of water passing through the pasageway 54 will not control the operation of the switch structure because the pipe or passageway 56 is of suili cient size to preclude any pressure being built up within the diaphragm chamber sufficienttoforce the diaphragm upwardly for opening the electric circuit.

With the withdrawal of the fresh water, there-may be a very slight amount of storage water, that is bnly the amount that will force its waythrough the restricted pasageway 54. The check valve 26 precludes any air fromwithin the storage tank and likewise the storage water from forcing its way into the fresh water supply line 36.

As soon as the fresh water supply faucet 38 is closed, the pressure is soon built up within the diaphragm chamber forcing the diaohragmh50 upwardly, and the switch is then'operated for opening the electric circuit and stopping the motor 10.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a well water supply system that permits fresh water to be withdrawn without any interference of the air pumped by thenump at the time it is forcing or withdrawing fresh water from the well.

The placing of the storage tank above the take-off connection between the switch C and the fitting 34 is necessary to form a water seal and prevent the air which will travel on the upward side of the passageway from forcing its way into the diaphragm chamber 1 and thence through the passageway 56 into the fresh water supply line.

Theoperation of my device is primarily accomplished by by-passing the air from the pump into the storage tank and around the check valve 26, and likewise connecting the fresh water supply line between the pump mechanism and the check valve 26.

Itwill also be noted that the switch C is operated either by pressure within the tank A falling below a predetermined amount and/or instantly operated by opening of the fresh water take-off. This arrangement is accomplished by the openings into the diaphragm chamber being of .two different sizes.

,Some changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the parts of my water supply system without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my-claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

' I claim as my invention:

1. In a water supply system, the combina tion with a supply pipe, a pump for suplying air and water to the pipe and a resh water take-off from the pipe, of a control mechanism for starting and stopping operation of the pump, said control mechanism being hydraulically connected 'withthe fresh water take-off and hydrau lically connected through a reduced passageway with the supply pipe, and means for preventing air from the pump being discharged'into the fresh water, as it iswithdrawn. a Y

' 2; In a water supply system, the combination with a supply pipe, pump mechanism for supplying air and water thereto and a fresh water take-off from the pipe, of a single control mechanism for starting and stopping operation of said pump mechanism, said control mechanism being hydraulically-c'onnected both with the fresh water tion with a supply'pipe, pump mechanismfor supplying air and water thereto and a fresh water take-off from the pipe, of a control mechanism for starting and stopping operation of said pump mechanism, said control mechanism being hydraulically connected with' the fresh water take-off and hydraulically connected through a reduced passageway with the supply pipe whereby opening of said fresh water take-off instantly operates said control mechanisnnbut said control mechanism is retarded in its operation as a result of water being withdrawn from the supply pipe.

5. In a water supply system, the c0mbina= tion with a supply pipe, pum mechanism for supplying air and water t ereto and a fresh water take-off from the pipe, of a control mechanism for startingland stopping operation of said pump mechanism, said control mechanism being hydraulically connected with the fresh water take-off and hydraulically connected through a reduced passageway with the supply pipe whereby water thereto, a storage tank connected therewith, a check valve between said pump mechanism and said storage tank, afresh water take-off pipe connected with said supply pipe between said pump mechanism and said check valve, a second check valve in said take-off pipe and a control mechanism for said pump mechanism, hydraulically connected with said fresh water take-off pipe and through a reduced passageway with said supply pipe.

7. In a-water supply system, a water supply pipe, pump. mechanism for supplying water thereto, a storage tank connected therewith, a check valve between said pump mechanism and-said storage tank, a fresh water take-off pipe connected with said sup ply pipe between said pump mechanism and said check valve, a second check valve in said take-oif pi e and a control mechanism for said pump mec anism, hydraulically connected with said fresh water take-off pipe between said. second check valve and the discharge end thereof and through a reduced passagewa with said supply pipe between said first c eck valve and said, storage tank.

10.? water thereto, a storage tank connected 8; In a water supply system, a water sup ply pipe, pump mechanism for supplying therewith, acheck valve between said pump mechanism and said'storage tank, a fresh water take-off pipe connected with said supply pipe between said pump mechanism and said check valve, a second check valve in said take-off pipe and a single control mechanism for said pump mechanism hydraulically connected with said fresh water take-oif pipe between said second check 19. In a water supply system, a water supply pipe, pump mechanism for supplying water thereto, a check valve in said supply pipe, a fresh-waterftake-ofi pipe connected with said supply pipe between said pump mechanism and said check valve, a

second check valve in said take-off pipe and a control mechanism for said pump mechanism, hydraulicall connected with said freshwater take-0 pipe between said second check valve and the discharge end thereof and through a reduced passageway with said supply pipe on the slde of said first check valve away from said pump mechanism.

11. In a water supply system, a pair of water supply pipes, pump mechanism for supplying water thereto, a control mechamsm for automatically rendering said pum mechanism operative and inoperative, sai control mechanism being hydraulically connected with both of said supply pipesand check valve means for preventing water from one supply pipe from flowin .to saidcnntrol mechanism through the otImer sup- P opined. v

12. Ina water supply system, a pair of control mechanism being hydraulically connected with both of said supply ipes, one of such connections having a re uced passageway and check valve means for preventing water from one sup ly pipe from flowing to said control mechanism through the other supply pipe when said other supply pipe is opened. a

13. In a water supply system, a pair 'of water supply pipes, pump mechanism for supplying water and air thereto, a control mechanism for automatically rendering said pump mechanism operative and inoperative, said control mechanism being hydraulically connected with both of said supply pipes and check valve means for preventing water from one supply pipe from flowing to said control mechanism through the other supply pipe when said other supply pipe is opened.

14:. In a water supply system, a pair of water supply pipes, pump mechanism for supplying water and air thereto, a control mechanism for automatically rendering said pump mechanism operative and inoperative, said control mechanism bein hydraulically connected with both of sai supply pipes, one of such connections having a reduced passageway and check valve means for preventing water from one supply pipe from flowing to said control mechanism through the other supply ipe when said other supply pipe is opened I 15. In a water supply system, the combination with a supply pipe, pump. mechanism for supplying air and water thereto and a fresh water take-0E from'the pipe, of a control mechanism for starting and stopping operation of said pump mechanism, said control mechanism being hydraulically connected with the fresh water take-01f and hydraulically connected through a reduced passageway with the lower side of said supply pipe.

Des Moines, Iowa, Januar 27, 1930. ALBE T PENN.

pipe when said other supply pipe is water supply pipes, pump mechanism for supplying water thereto, a control mechamsm for automatically rendering said pump mechanism operative and inoperative, said 

